Continuous electromigration process for removal of gaseous contaminants from the atmosphere and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A continuous process for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly carbon dioxide, from an atmosphere containing the same, which comprises subjecting the gaseous contaminant laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic ionic polymer sheet under the influence of an applied electrical field. The apparatus for accomplishing this comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of sheets of strongly basic ionic polymeric material partially suspended at the lower end thereof into a circulating stream of sea water, the polymeric sheets being interspersed between a source of an appliable electric field, e.g. a cathode and an anode, and a cation-exchange membrane and an anionexchange membrane being in turn interspersed between the cathode and the upper exposed ends of the polymeric sheets.

UnIted States Patent 1 [111 3,712,025 Wallace 45 1 Jan. 23, 1973 41 CONTINUOUS ELECTROMIGRATION 3,494,842 2/1970 DeResp iris.1..1.11.7,iii "204M113 PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF 3,562,139 2/1971 Leitz ..204/299 R X GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS FROM FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS THE ATMOSPHERE AND APPARATUS 646,076 8/1962 Canada ..204/l80 B [76] Inventor: Richard A. Wallace, 9707 Fourth 633538 511930 France ..55/234 Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. l 1209 85,041 1/1896 Germany ..204/98 r 106,727 2/1939 Australia ..2lO/37 [221 Flled: March 1970 708,715 5/1954 Great Britain ..s5 234 [21 pp No: ,733 864,431 4/1961 Great Britain ..204/301 OTHER PUBLICATIONS [52] US. Cl ..55/2,23/1 GP, 23/2 R, Frilene, Vincent J, upreparafion and Characteriza 55/68, 55/73, 55/101, 55/387, 204/87, tion OF Bipolar Ion-Exchange Membranes, Journal 204/180 B, 204/180 P,2l0/24,2l0/3 of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 60, April 1956, pages [51] Int. Cl ..B03c 9/02 435-439 [58] Field of Search ....204/87, 180, 180 B, 301, 103,

299 /24, Primary Examiner-Dennis E. Talbert, Jr. 131/10, 262 A; 55/68, 73, 74, 75, 2, 159, Attorney-Charles J. Speciale 179, 220, 233, 387, 388, 389, 512, 234,101;

23/1 R, 1 GP, 2 R, 2 S, 4, 64, 36 [57] ABSTRACT 56] References cited A continuous process for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly carbon dioxide, from an at- UNITED STATES PATENTS mosphere containing the same, which comprises subjecting the gaseous contaminant laden atmosphere to flllSCh ontact a trongly basic ionic polymer hget 2*259169 10/1941 "210/37 x under the influence of an applied electrical field. The $2 9/1947 "210/37X apparatus for accomplishing this comprises at least 53 21); g one and preferably a plurality of sheets of strongly i' basic ionic polymeric material partially suspended at 2,903,406 9/1959 Miller 204/296 3 729 7,1964 C] k t 55/68X elsme n st r o untq .crrsilatt gfigu i sea 3266973 8/1966 C at a 216/341 water, HE polymeric sheets bemg interspersed 3274095 9,1966 ey 204 0 between a source of an appliable electric field, e.g. a l3 1 cathode and an anode, and a cation-exchange mem- 3337444 8/1967 ""204/180 P X brane and an anion-exchan e membrane bein in turn 3,401,100 9/1968 Macklin ..204/l03 g g interspersed between the cathode and the upper exposed ends of the polymeric sheets.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I DILUTE HYDRO- 5 TAP CHLORIC ACID 0: WATER SOLUTION FROM 3 "I' l" 1H CATHODE g co AIR 1 I Cog-FREE AIR LL] il g SEA 3 WATER SEA WATER+ O I Q' BICARBONATE i 7 EFFLUENT CONTINUOUS ELECTROMIGRATION PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS FROM THE ATMOSPHERE AND APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an electrolytic method for removing gaseous contaminants, particularly carbon dioxide, from an atmosphere laden with the same.

2. Description of the Prior Art Excess carbon dioxide (C0,) in the atmosphere continues to pose a major habitability problem, particularly for example, for submarine personnel. The toxicity of CO is such that visible changes in respiration and circulation occur at concentrations above 3 percent, while depression and loss of consciousness can be expected in a percent CO atmosphere. The new preferred level for submarine CO concentration is 0.5 percent for standard operation.

The CO scrubbers presently in use employ a modified monoethanol amine (MEA) solution as the CO absorbent. In these systems, air is drawn into and mechanically mixed with the absorbent in the stripper boiler. After cooling, the air has an exit CO concentration of about 0.5 percent. Although scrubber systems vary, they are generally designed to achieve a high degree of contact between the air and the recirculating MEA. Desorbed gas is passed out the top of the stripper boiler where it is cooled and ejected via the CO compressor.

Some of the problems in scrubber operation and maintenance are listed below:

a. contamination of the atmosphere by ammonia, a degradation product of MBA.

b. excessive make-up consumption of MBA.

c. noise, overheating and possible failure of compressors under conditions of low-level CO concentrations.

d. frequent mechanical repairs and troublesome maintenance.

e. CO bubbles released to the ocean surface by the compressors.

f. large volume and space requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there has now been discovered a continuous electrolytic method for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly CO from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises subjecting the gaseous contaminant laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic ionic polymer sheet under the influence of an applied electrical field.

The apparatus for accomplishing this is relatively simple and comprises, at least one, and preferably a plurality of sheets of strongly basic ionic polymeric material partially suspended at the lower end thereof into a circulating stream of sea water (or brackish water), the polymer sheets in turn being interspersed between a source of an electrical field appliable to the apparatus, e.g. a cathode and an anode, and a cationexchange membrane and an anion-exchange membrane being in turn interspersed between the cathode and the upper exposed ends of the polymer sheets.

By this method and apparatus, the continuous removal of CO in the form of bicarbonate anions (I'l- CO and of trace amounts (up to 50 p.p.m.) of other acidic gaseous air contaminants, such as nitrogen dioxide (N0 sulfur dioxide (S0 and hydrogen sulfide (H 8), can be accomplished particularly well, for example, in submarine breathing atmospheres. By the present method impure CO, laden air, containing slight amounts of acidic gaseous air contaminants, is passed through layers of strongly basic ionic polymer sheets which hang into circulating sea water. The CO reacts with the hydroxyl ions on the active sites of the polymer sheet forming bicarbonate ions, while the slight amounts of acidic gaseous air contaminants undergo acid-base ionic reactions. The effluent, purified air, is now recirculated back through the submarine atmosphere, while the bicarbonate ions are discharged into the sea water. As indicated, by means of an applied (direct current) voltage, the sorbed bicarbonate ions are transported towards the positively charged anode consisting of preferably a sliver-silver chloride or a copper-copper chloride anode immersed in the circulating sea water. The negatively charged cathode is similarly formed of preferably silver-silver chloride or a copper-copper chloride. On being transported to the anode electrode compartment, the bicarbonate ions are discharged into the sea water effluent in the form of a liquid sodium bicarbonate. Advantageously, since there is sodium bicarbonate originally contained in sea water, the net result is a small increase in the bicarbonate content in the sea water. The strongly basic ionic polymer sheets are regenerated into the hydroxyl ion form electrolytically, as will be more fully described hereinbelow. It is to be understood that by strongly basic we mean those compounds that yield hydroxyl ions in aqueous solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood with 7 reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the invention device situated between a source of an electrical field comprising a positive and negative electrode;

FIG. 2 is an elevated fragmented side view of the invention device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the invention process in diagrammatic form;

FIG. 4 is a plot showing the results achieved in accordance with the method of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the dissociation of water at the cation-exchange and anionexchange membrane interface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the figures of the drawings, the CO (and other acidic gaseous contaminants) removal device 10 comprises a plurality of strongly basic ionic polymer sheets 12 interspersed between a silver-silver chloride cathode I4 and a silver-silver chloride anode 16. The sheets 12 are suitably supported by means of plastic rods 18 and are suspended by their lower ends 13 into a circulating bath of sea water 20 contained in a suitable conventional trough 22. Intermediate the upper exposed ends 30 of the polymer sheets 12 and the cathode 14 is provided a sheet of anion-exchange membrane 32 and a sheet of cation-exchange membrane 34 with the anion-exchange membrane 32 being the membrane closest to the polymer sheet ends 30. A

source (not shown) of tap water is provided to flow between the cation-exchange membrane 34 and the cathode 14 for a reason which will be subsequently described.

Desirably, the polymer sheets 12 number between 8 and 24 and are stacked up to a total distance of about 12 inches with about one-half inch separation between each sheet. Each polymer sheet may be about 6 inches long and about 12 inches wide. As indicated, the sheets are mechanically supported by suitable plastic rods, such as acrylic plastic. This plurality or battery of polymer sheets is allowed to dip into the circulating sea water bath 20 at the bottom of the cell. The silver-silver chloride anode 16 is fully immersed in the sea water, while the silver-silver chloride cathode 14 is immersed in the tap water at the top of the cell. As indicated, immediately below the cathode 14 is the cation and anion-exchange membrane junction which electrodialytically produces the hydroxyl regenerant ions necessary for the polymer sheets to function continuously in the removal of CO, from the CO, laden atmosphere.

Describing now in greater detail the operation of the invention method and apparatus, when a CO, laden atmosphere (see FIG. 3 flow diagram) is allowed to come in contact with the strongly basic ionic polymer sheets, these sheets absorb large volumes of CO and moisture and convert the CO, to bicarbonate ions, which ions are then eliminated as liquid bicarbonate salts in the circulating sea water by continuous electromigration under a low direct current (DC) voltage. By means of the applied DC. voltage, the sorbed bicarbonate ions are transported towards the positively charged anode which is immersed in the sea water. On being transported to the anode electrode compartment, the bicarbonate ions are discharged into the sea water effluent -in the form of liquid sodium bicarbonate. The sea water effluent from the anode compartment may be pumped into, for example the submarine ballast tanks, and discharged, whenever convenient, directly into the sea. For the process to be continuous, the hydroxyl ions on the polymer sheets must of course be regenerated or replaced. This is done electrolytically and involves the electrolytic production of OH ions and the migration of the OH- ions under the applied electrical field. This is accomplished by the dissociation of the tap water coincident with the passage of current at the interface of the anion-exchange membrane. Water molecules at the interface between the two oppositely charged ionexchange membranes, i.e. cation and anion-exchange membranes, dissociate to provide H and OH ions under the influence of the applied voltage (FIG. There must be pure water at the interface which is in turn of high resistivity which in turn breaks the water up into H and OH ions.

The strongly basic ionic polymer sheets may be any one of those commercially available containing hydroxyl groups, some of which will be described in the examples immediately below. A typical polymer sheet employable within the scope of the invention will have the following specifications.

l. CO Absorption Capacities as equilibrated in atmosphere of 1.5% CO,-Air-70% Relative Humidity at 25C. within the range between and 85 milligrams of CO, sorbed per gram of sheet plastic.

2. Anion-current transference number between 0.83 to unity in the direction of electromigration.

3. Electrical resistance, measured in 0.0lNNaCl solution at 25C. less than l0 ohm-cm.

4. water-Content range between 30-80 percent'by weight. I

As illustrative of polymers falling within the specifications may be listed the following:

STRONG-BASE HYDROXYL AMINATED IONIC PLASTIC SHEETS Co -Absorption Capacity [Milligrams C0, Per Gram I Composition 1.5% CO Air 70% Relative Humidity 25C.

All of the above-listed are commercially available, except the last two, and all those skilled in the art would know how to prepare the latter.

HYDROXYL THORlUM OXIDE-PLASTIC SHEETS The sheets used in the experiment were cast from a homogeneous solution of thorium nitrate and the polyvinylidene fluoride in dimethylacetamide solvent. After drying, the thorium nitrate is converted to the hydrous oxide form by treatment with ammonium hydroxide.

CO,- Sheet Water Content Absorption Composition [Percentage Capacity by Weight] 85% thorium hydrous (hydroxyl) oxide incorporated in a 15% polyvinylidene fluoride matrix hinder (electrical resistance is 3 ohmcm, measured in 0.01 N NaCl solution) 47 4| milligrams CO, per gram mixed thorium hydrous (hyroxyl)oxide incorporated in a 20% polyvinylidene fluoride matrix binder(electrical resistance is 3.5 ohm-cm, measured in 0.01 N NaCl solution) 41 37 milligrams I CO, per gram equilibrated under atmospheres of 1.5% CO,-Air 70% Relative Humidity 25C.

The cation-exchange and anion-exchange membranes may be any one of those commercially available, such as, for example, but not limited to lonics Nepton CR-6l and lonics Nepton AR-lllA, respectively. Other examples of a cation-exchange and anionexchange membrane commercially available include a heterogeneous commercial lonac MC-3l42 and lonac MA-3 l 48, respectively.

In most test runs, the cathode was a silver wire mesh electrolytically coated with silver chloride. During operation, the silver chloride undergoes reduction to silver metal and chloride ions* (*the discharge chloride ions remain in the vicinity of the cathode, prevented from migrating throughout the cell by the cation-exchange membrane diaphragm). Similarly, the silver-silver chloride anode undergoes oxidation, whereby silver is oxidized to silver ion, which in turn reacts with chloride ion from the surrounding sea water that flows through the anode compartment.

This system also removed trace amounts (up to 50 ppm) of the gaseous contaminantszNO S and H 8 from air at various humidities at room temperature. These acidic gases readily underwent ionic reactions with the reactive hydroxyl ionic groups of the strongly basic plastic sheet.

The weak acid hydrogen sulfide also underwent an acid-base reaction with the highly basic plastic sheet. All of these gaseous air contaminants were completely removed in a single pass in the present CO -removal device.

The regeneration rate of sheet polymer increased with a decrease in salt content of the water (tap water) and an increase in flow rate. All regenerations were carried out continuously at current densities up to 8 mA/cm When the cathode electrode was used up, it was replaced with the electroformed anode. These electrodes are interchangeable.

An increase in the operative current density made the hydroxyl ion regeneration rate proceed faster, but with less efficient utilization of the current and greater power consumption.

Tap water was always circulated at a very low flow rate, between the cathode electrode and the ionexchange membrane junction. At current densities greater than 2 mA/cm the water at the membrane junction interface split up into OH- and H ions. Most of the voltage drop across the electrolytic cell occurred at the bipolar membrane junction. This is expected and necessary if one wants the electrolytic breakdown of water to occur (water splitting).

FIG. 4 shows a sharp rise in the rate of CO absorption by the anionic aminated polyethylene-graft copolymer with 35 percent styrene and 2 percent divinylbenzene sheet during the first 5 minutes of its exposure in a l% CO -65% relative humidity atmosphere. In addition, this strong-base'hydroxyl aminated sheet has a high water absorption capacity of 35 weight percent owing to the presence of hydroscopic active quaternary ammonium anionic sites incorporated in the plastic matrices.

The present electrolytic regeneration of the strongly basic polymer in sheet form is a particularly advantageous method because it eliminates costly and bulky storage equipment and chemicals and permits the use of off-peak demand of electricity which is plentiful aboard nuclear submarines. Moreover, because there are no tell-tale CO bubbles released to the ocean surface as discharge from the submarine and because the present CO removal system is essentially noiseless, requiring no moving parts, nuclear submarines can enjoy greater safety through enhanced silent operation and reduced visible discharge wastes. Indeed, the present method is capable of maintaining a CO, concentration in submarines of 0.5 percent or less.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to submarine atmospheres, it is also particularly suitable in any area where a cO -laden atmosphere is a problem, e.g. mines-shafts, ships holds, etc.

This invention will be further illustrated in conjunction with the following specific experimental runs which will serve as the examples of the invention. All of the strongly basic ionic polymer sheets employed hereinbelow will be understood to meet all the required specifications as set forth earlier, whether mentioned specifically or not. In all the examples below, the ionexchange junction was provided by a heterogeneous commercial lonac MC-3l42 cation-exchange membrane and an lonac MA-3l48 anion-exchange membrane.

RUN!

A strong-base plastic sheet consisting of quaternary ammonium hydroxide exchange groups polyethylene-styrene graft copolymer with 35 percent styrene and 2 percent divinylbenzene was employed.

Ten sheets were used with one-half inch sep n M themes-0&0. in

0.2% COz-Air 50% Relative Humidity 65% Relative Humidity anode electrode NaCl 3 NaCl A) NaHCO:

Operation Conditions:

aration.

cathode t-luutrodo lV A fabric-reinforced heterogeneous aminated strongbase polymer (hydroxyl form) was employed as the polymer sheet. 9 Ien sheets were used with a one-half inch separation.

cathode electrode n 1.5% COz-Air 0.4% COz-Ail i/ 659;, Relative 40% Relative Humidity llumidil'y l0 e g 1.0% COz-Air 0.3% COz-Air Relative 40% Relative Humidity Humldlty anode electrode 3% NaCl NaCl QB NaHCOs Operating Conditions:

unodu Applied Voltagez200 volts Operating Current Density:2.5 milliamps/cm 3% NnCl Nat Entering Air:l.5% CO -Air, 65% R. H., C., flow M1003 rate l5 ml/minute 2 Operation Conditions: Exit Air:0.4% CO -Air, 40% R. H. v Continuous Regeneration Applied Voltage:2 l 0 volts Average CO Removal per gram of plastic sheet 55 Current Density:5.0 milliamp /cm' milligrams Entering Air:l.0% CO Air, 65% R. H., 25C., flow Here exit air contained 0.4% CO compared to 1.5% ate 15 nil/minute entering air. Exit Air:0.3% CO,-Air, 40% R. H. RUN III Continuous Regeneration A strong-base polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium Average CO,-Removal per gram of plastic sheet =47 hydroxide polyelectrolyte complex was used as the milligrams polymer sheet. Here reduction of CO, in the treated air was over Eight sheets were used with one-half inch separation. three-fold.

' RUN V oatmde electrode 80 percent strong-base reinforced quaternary ammonium hydroxide finely divided anion-exchange 40 resins incorporated into 20 percent hydrophilic cellulosic binder was used as the polymer sheet.

Ten sheets were used with a one-half inch separation.

' C 'ait'hbfifli'i'rbfi 1.0% COz-Ail 0.4% COz-Ai! g 65% Relative 40% Relative Humidity Humidity 1.0% COz-Air 0.2% COz-All EXIT AIR 65% Relative 40% Relative Humidity Humidity anode 25C. electrode Nam Q Operation Conditions:

anode Applied Voltage: 1 75 volts Operating Current Density:4.l milliamps/cm 3% NM?! Entering Air:l.0% CO,-Air, R. H., 25C., flow rate 20 muminute v Operation Conditions: Continuous Regeneration Average CO Removal per gram of plastic sheet 53 65 Applied tage: I 35 volts milligrams Current Dcnsity:6.() milliamps/cm Again entering air was l.0% CO, containing, while Entering Air:l.0% CO,-Air, 65% R. H., 25C., flow exit was only 0.4% CO, containing. rate 18 ml/minute partially hydrated ionic polymeric material under the influence of an applied electrical field whence the basic hydroxyl properties of polymeric material become depleted and continuously electrolytically regenerating, in the presence of water, the hydroxyl properties of said polymeric material.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said strongly basic ionic polymeric material is in elongated sheet form.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one sheet of said polymeric material is employed.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gase ous contaminant comprises predominantly carbon dioxide.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the gaseous contaminant contains minor amounts of nitrogendioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is characterized by having a carbon dioxide absorption capacity, as equilibrated in an at mosphere of 1.5 percent carbon dioxide in air, at 70 percent Relative Humidity at a temperature of 25C., within the range of between about and about 85 milligrams of CO sorbed per gram of polymeric material; an anion-current transference number between about 0.83 and about 1 in the direction of electromigration; an electrical resistance, as measured in 0.01 N sodium chloride solution at a temperature of C., of less than about 10 ohm-cm and a water-content range between about and about 80 percent by weight.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises quaternary ammoniumhydroxide groups on polyethylenestyrene graft copolymer with percent styrene and 2 percent divinylbenzene.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises quaternary ammonium hydroxide crosslinked copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises Dynel-reinforced quaternary ammonium hydroxide on a vinyl-divinylbenzene copolymer.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises a fabric-reinforced Permutit Permaplex A-20 film heterogeneous quaternary ammonium hydroxide strong base polymer.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises a polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium hydroxide polyelectrolyte complex film.

12. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises 80 percent quaternary ammonium hydroxide finely divided anion-exchange resins incorporated into a 20 percent hydrophilic cellulosic binder.

13. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises 85 percent thorium hydrous (hydroxyl) oxide incorporated in a 15 percent polyvinylidene fluoride matrix binder.

14. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric materialcomprises 80 percent mixed thori um hydrous (hydroxyl) oxide incorporated in a 20 percent polyvinylidene fluoride matrix binder.

15. An apparatus for continuously removing gaseous contaminants from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises at least one elongated sheet of strongly hydroxyl dry or partially hydrated ionic polymeric material partially suspended at its lower end thereof into a circulating stream of sea water or brackish water, said polymeric sheet being interspersed between a source of an electrical field appliable to said apparatus consisting of a cathode and an anode, a cation-exchange membrane and an anion-exchange membrane, forming an ion-exchange membrane junction,

being in turn interspersed between said cathode and the upper exposed ends of said polymeric sheet, a source of water being circulable between said cathode and the ion-exchange membrane junction.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a plurality of said polymeric sheets are provided.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 used for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide laden atmosphere.

18. A dry electromigratory process for removal of acidic gaseous contaminants from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises subjecting the gaseous contaminant laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic ionic hydrated polymeric material under the influence of an applied electrical field.

19. A continuous dry electromigratory process for removal of carbon dioxide from an atmosphere containin g the same which comprises continuously subjecting the carbon dioxide laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic (hydroxyl) ionic hydrated polymeric material capable of forming hydroxyl ions in aqueous solution, under the influence of an applied electrical field thereby converting said carbon dioxide to the bicarbonate ion form, whence the hydroxyl ions formed by said polymeric material become depleted, and continuously electrolytically regenerating the hydroxyl ions on said polymeric material and continuously recovering the bicarbonate ion. 

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said strongly basic ionic polymeric material is in elongated shEet form.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein at least one sheet of said polymeric material is employed.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaseous contaminant comprises predominantly carbon dioxide.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the gaseous contaminant contains minor amounts of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is characterized by having a carbon dioxide absorption capacity, as equilibrated in an atmosphere of 1.5 percent carbon dioxide in air, at 70 percent Relative Humidity at a temperature of 25*C., within the range of between about 10 and about 85 milligrams of CO2 sorbed per gram of polymeric material; an anion-current transference number between about 0.83 and about 1 in the direction of electromigration; an electrical resistance, as measured in 0.01 N sodium chloride solution at a temperature of 25*C., of less than about 10 ohm-cm2; and a water-content range between about 30 and about 80 percent by weight.
 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises quaternary ammonium hydroxide groups on polyethylenestyrene graft copolymer with 35 percent styrene and 2 percent divinylbenzene.
 8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises quaternary ammonium hydroxide crosslinked copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene.
 9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises Dynel-reinforced quaternary ammonium hydroxide on a vinyl-divinylbenzene copolymer.
 10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises a fabric-reinforced Permutit Permaplex A-20 film heterogeneous quaternary ammonium hydroxide strong base polymer.
 11. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises a polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium hydroxide polyelectrolyte complex film.
 12. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises 80 percent quaternary ammonium hydroxide finely divided anion-exchange resins incorporated into a 20 percent hydrophilic cellulosic binder.
 13. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises 85 percent thorium hydrous (hydroxyl) oxide incorporated in a 15 percent polyvinylidene fluoride matrix binder.
 14. A method according to claim 6 wherein said polymeric material comprises 80 percent mixed thorium hydrous (hydroxyl) oxide incorporated in a 20 percent polyvinylidene fluoride matrix binder.
 15. An apparatus for continuously removing gaseous contaminants from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises at least one elongated sheet of strongly hydroxyl dry or partially hydrated ionic polymeric material partially suspended at its lower end thereof into a circulating stream of sea water or brackish water, said polymeric sheet being interspersed between a source of an electrical field appliable to said apparatus consisting of a cathode and an anode, a cation-exchange membrane and an anion-exchange membrane, forming an ion-exchange membrane junction, being in turn interspersed between said cathode and the upper exposed ends of said polymeric sheet, a source of water being circulable between said cathode and the ion-exchange membrane junction.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a plurality of said polymeric sheets are provided.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 15 used for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide laden atmosphere.
 18. A dry electromigratory process for removal of acidic gaseous contaminants from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises subjecting the gaseous contaminant laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic ionic hydrated polymeric material under the influence of an applied electrical field.
 19. A continuous dry electromigratory process for removal of carbon dioxide from an atmosphere containing the same which comprises continuously subjecting the carbon dioxide laden atmosphere to contact with a strongly basic (hydroxyl) ionic hydrated polymeric material capable of forming hydroxyl ions in aqueous solution, under the influence of an applied electrical field thereby converting said carbon dioxide to the bicarbonate ion form, whence the hydroxyl ions formed by said polymeric material become depleted, and continuously electrolytically regenerating the hydroxyl ions on said polymeric material and continuously recovering the bicarbonate ion. 